Vancouver Island is ranked No. 1 among Top Islands in the Continental U.S. and Canada

VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA--(Marketwired - July 2, 2014) - Travel + Leisure magazine has recognized Vancouver Island as the Top Island in the Continental U.S. and Canada in the World's Best Awards 2014 readers' survey. Travel + Leisure's rankings also include Wickaninnish Inn as Top Resort in Canada and the Shangri-La Hotel Vancouver as the Top City Hotel in Canada.

In total, five British Columbia properties are included in the Top Resorts in Canada: additional properties are the Four Seasons Resort & Residences Whistler (2nd), The Fairmont Chateau Whistler (6th), the Pan Pacific Whistler Mountainside (8th) and Sooke Harbour House (9th).

The city of Vancouver is the top city in Canada, and ranks 6th in the category of Top Cities in the U.S. and Canada. The Four Seasons Resort & Residences Whistler is the Top Hotel Spa in Canada. The results of the Travel + Leisure World's Best Awards 2014 will be featured on and in the August issue of Travel + Leisure, on newsstands July 18.

"The Travel + Leisure World's Best award results demonstrates the exceptional experiences available in British Columbia for visitors," says Marsha Walden, president and CEO of Destination British Columbia, the province's tourism marketing organization. "These awards have a wide reach through Travel + Leisure's print circulation of over 970,000 magazine copies plus an extensive online presence. That these results are based on reader votes validates the quality of the BC travel experiences, and we are exceptionally proud of our industry and colleagues."

British Columbia is Canada's westernmost province, ranging from the Pacific Ocean to the Canadian Rockies. Tucked against the mainland of British Columbia and the north shore of Washington's Olympic Peninsula, Vancouver Island is the largest island off the North American west coast. Vancouver Island stretches approximately 500 kilometres (300 miles) long and is 32,134 square kilometres (12,407 square miles) in area.

"British Columbia is among the most beautiful places in the world and these awards are a direct reflection of the types of experiences tourists have when choosing to visit British Columbia," says Naomi Yamamoto, Minister of State for Small Business and Tourism. "Tourism is a major economic driver for British Columbia - generating $13.5 billion and employing more than 127,000 people. I'm proud of the work tourism businesses and associations across the province do to attract visitors to our stunning province. A strong tourism economy generates interest and investment in this province which ultimately benefits all British Columbians."

Destination British Columbia is an industry-led Crown corporation that works collaboratively with tourism stakeholders across the province to coordinate marketing at the international, provincial, regional and local levels.